Darwin Morrison, a local certified boat examiner with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, conducts a safety inspection on a boat on Tuesday in Russellville. Coast Guard Auxiliary members will be conducting free safety inspections during National Safe Boating Week later in May. (The Courier/Howard West)

Across the Arkansas River Valley, boating safety professionals work hard to make lakes and other waterways safe for a wide range of recreational water craft.

National Safe Boating Week hoists its sails the week of May 18-24 and local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary examiners will be on deck to lend a hand to those who need a boating safety check-up.

“We have a vessel examination check we can do for free,” Darwin Morrison, former U.S. Navy “Seabee” and local certified boat examiner, said. “If their boat passes, the owner can get a possible 10 percent discount on their insurance. The free check can also save boaters from receiving a ticket for up to $175.

“We check that boaters have displayed their registration numbers correctly and that safety equipment such as a life jacket is up to date and operating efficiently. Law enforcement who have a presence on the lake will be out in force, patrolling to check for any violations.”

Morrison, a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary since 2008, said Lake Dardanelle will have an inspection station where boaters can go to have their free safety check performed. Examiners have detailed lists to follow when checking documentation and safety items. The lists include required and recommended items which are covered by the inspection.

“The safety inspection station will be set up at Shoal Bay,” Morrison said. “It will open the first day of Safe Boating Week, and it is free. It’s a very heavy recreational boating week. Everyone should be familiar with and have an Arkansas boating handbook on-hand.”

The job of keeping folks safe while boating requires public education and frequent reminders about safety concepts and boating responsibilities.

“The most common issue with boating safety is the lighting systems,” Morrison said. “Used boats and homemade boats tend to have the most problems.

“Also, on homemade boats, some use car parts to make repairs. Marine stuff has to be spark-proof.”

Morrison said there is one issue that compromises boating safety and is common to many mishaps.

“There is one thing throughout new, used and homemade boats,” he said. “It is outdated flare systems and fire extinguishers. They’ve been packed away and not checked.”

A major part of this continuing effort is participating in National Safe Boating Week (NSBW). This event is sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), and in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard.

“Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to reach and put on a stowed life jacket,” Virgil Chambers, executive director of the NSBC, said. “It’s important that everyone wears a life jacket while on the water.

“There’s no reason why you, your family and friends, can’t have fun on the water while also choosing to always wear a life jacket.”

I had to read the story first, just to make sure whether or not the title was a play on words. Of course, it's not. Thanks for the comment, if you hadn't already made it, I was geared up to do it after reading the article.